Select Local Merchants

For the best pick-me-up in town, grab a cup of java at Starbucks.
Healthy and gluten-free eaters will embrace the food choices at Starbucks.
Access the Internet free of charge via Starbucks' complimentary wifi.
Bask in the sun (or moon!) light when you dine on Starbucks' outdoor patio.
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Starbucks is conveniently close to a parking lot.
Starbucks makes bikers feel at ease with the multiple storage racks outside.
The super-affordable fare at Starbucks will definitely make your budget happy too — prices are almost always under $15.

Sleuthing out clues to move beyond symptoms to root causes, the specialists at 100% Chiropractic expedite healing with a roster of preventive care strategies, from instilling better eating habits through nutrition workshops to combating the effects of stress with chiropractic services and massage therapy. The clinic adheres to a cradle to adult-size cradle philosophy, with programs that address the tiny backbones of infants or rehabilitate bodies suffering from headaches, numbness, or ingrown steering wheels after car accidents. The warm practice, which feels more like a spa than a doctor's office, has on-hand licensed massage therapists who are well versed in relaxation and therapeutic modalities to dismantle unhealthy muscular tension patterns or lower stress. The practitioners ease the transition for new patients with detailed information about the initial visit and what treatments may be recommended.

Lindy Central provides training in a variety of swing dance styles for beginning dancers. Join a horde of hopped up hepcats and hone the Charleston, East Coast, and Lindy Hop. Beginner-level classes go over the fundamentals of the Lindy Hop and are geared for neophytes or one-time champs forced to table their dancing dreams for a career as a whale rider. A former choreographer for So You Think You Can Dance, Carla Heiney and her team of dance masters will help students finagle fancy footwork all while having fun and getting fit. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes, flats, and your most festive sandwich board.

Kick back and enjoy flavorful tacos, burritos and chips and salsa at Chipotle Mexican Grill.
Those with special dietary needs will love Chipotle Mexican Grill, a restaurant with gluten-free and vegan eats.
Drinks are also on the menu here, so guests can start the night off right.
You won't need to get a sitter before heading to Chipotle Mexican Grill — kids are more than welcome at this family-friendly establishment.
Dine out in the open during Chipotle Mexican Grill's summer season when patio tables are available for use.
Chipotle Mexican Grill does not take reservations, so plan accordingly.
Bring the Chipotle Mexican Grill's great food to your place.
If you're in a hurry, place an order for pickup instead.
Complimentary parking is provided in the lot next to Chipotle Mexican Grill.
Looking for a tasty meal fit for any budget? Look no further than Chipotle Mexican Grill.
Morning, noon, or night, you can head on over to Chipotle Mexican Grill since they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Open every night until 3 a.m., Taco Bravo caters mainly to the late-night crowd and hungry sleepwalkers. The menu is posted above the register and offers everything you’d expect from a fast-food taqueria, including tacos, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, and Super nachos, one of the most popular items. On a nice night, customers can even eat outdoors on a picnic table or bench.

If your lunch hour is limited, swing by Jack In The Box for a quick burger and fries.
Gluten-free and low-fat are not one in the same, but this place serves them both.
Take the kids along too — Jack In The Box is a great spot for families with food that even little ones will love.
Jack In The Box welcomes laid-back diners, so there's no pressure to throw on heels or a tie.
Getting your food to go is also an option.
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Come to Jack In The Box for a satisfying meal that won't break the bank.
Head on over to Jack In The Box first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening — Jack In The Box is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Whether you're a party animal or an early riser, the restaurant will be open to serve you 24 hours a day.

Groupon Guide

This week: K-Pop bands take the stage at the Korean Day Cultural Festival, Deer Tick plays an Outside Lands night show, John Dean recalls his talks with Nixon, cool cars gather in Danville, and Audium creates sonic art. As always, check Groupon for even more great things to do in San Francisco.
Korean Day Cultural Festival
Union Square | Saturday, August 9
Now in its 22nd year, the Korean Day Cultural Festival mixes the traditional and the modern (think period costumes plus K-Pop concerts) for an all-day celebration. Local restaurants cook up bulgogi and savory pancakes that families can munch while watching a martial-arts performance or a rice-cake kneading contest. (Union Square Park, Powell St. and Geary St.; free)
Deer Tick
Hayes Valley | Sunday, August 10
We once said that Deer Tick’s Negativity was an album “built for the summer.” Now that August is here, pay the band a visit at Rickshaw Stop for some bluesy, head-bopping rock songs. (155 Fell St.; $20; buy tickets here)
John Dean: The Nixon Defense
SoMa | Tuesday, August 12
As White House counsel to Richard Nixon, John Dean was a crucial confidant throughout the Watergate scandal. His new book, and the subject of his Tuesday talk at the Commonwealth Club of California, draws from hundreds of transcribed conversations to trace an intimate timeline of Nixon’s undoing. (595 Market St.; $20; buy tickets here)
Danville Hot Summer Nights Car Show
Danville | Thursday, August 14
Don’t want to pay hundreds of dollars to see Paul McCartney play a requiem for Candlestick? Drive out to Danville instead. This outdoor show features tons of hot rods, live music, and a kid-friendly reptile presentation with a 100-pound tortoise named Tank. (Hartz Ave. from School St. to La Gonda Way; free)
Audium 9
Lower Pacific Heights | Friday, August 15
There are 49 seats and 176 speakers inside Audium, a theater designed to enthrall audiences with “sound sculptures.” The trippy performance relies entirely on your ears—the room is pitch black while a composition of sounds plays below, above, and around the crowd. (1616 Bush St.; $20; buy tickets here)
Image credits: Nixon photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Danville Hot Summer Nights Car Show photo by Ascend Digital Arts by R$ch McVey

This week, there’s a Litquake reading wherever you look, sand castles spring up on Ocean Beach, Oakland goes to the dogs, short horror films play at The New Parish, and Iliza Shlesinger performs at Cobb’s Comedy Club. As always, check Groupon for more great things to do in San Francisco.
Litquake
Multiple Locations | Saturday, October 11–Saturday, October 18
Litquake honors stories in every way possible: readings, workshops, and, of course, a closing pub crawl through the Mission District. This year’s calendar welcomes special guests such as Marc Maron and Piper Kerman, author of Orange Is the New Black. For a laugh, check out Wednesday’s “Readings from the Best-Ever Craigslist Postings.” (ticket prices vary; buy tickets here)
Leap’s 31st Annual Sandcastle Contest
Ocean Beach | Saturday, October 11
Each year, elementary-school students team up with local architects, engineers, and sponsors to build the most impressive sand castle on Ocean Beach, thereby raising funds for Leap's educational art programs. They’ll have four hours to sculpt and carve their creations to suit this year’s theme, “Food, Glorious Food!” (Balboa Street and Great Highway; free; buy tickets here)
Paws on the Square
Oakland | Wednesday, October 15
Paws on the Square gives pups and owners a chance to frolic on the Oakland waterfront. The month-long series, held each Wednesday in October, features canine massages, complimentary dog caricatures, and vendors of pooch-pampering goods. Even if you don’t have a four-legged friend, you can enjoy the fun solo or sign up to adopt a dog of your own. (Jack London Square and Broadway; free)
Scream 2014: East Bay Express’ Horror Film Festival
Oakland | Thursday, October 16
With Halloween on the horizon, East Bay Express and the Oakland Underground Film Festival have conspired to showcase more than 12 frightening indie shorts at The New Parish. The festival runs from 7 p.m. until midnight and also entertains guests with spooky-sexy burlesque performances. (579 18th St.; $10–$12; buy tickets here)
Iliza Shlesinger
Russian Hill | Friday, October 17
Iliza Shlesinger didn’t slow down after becoming the first woman to win NBC’s Last Comic Standing in 2008. Since then, she’s hosted a dating reality show, recorded a comedy album, and started a podcast, in addition to performing live. Catch her commentary about dating, television, and all else at Cobb’s Comedy Club on Friday. (915 Columbus Ave.; $22.50; buy tickets here, or save with a Groupon)
Image credits: Litquake images courtesy of Litquake, sand castle photo courtesy of Trevor Mattea, dog photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Meghan Doyle has been styling hair in San Francisco for four years—or 16 consecutive seasons. She’s no stranger to the challenges of the warmer months, when the heat and the fog team up to stress out your tresses. So, with August fast approaching, we visited Salon V (1609 Vallejo St.) and asked her how to maintain happy, healthy summer hair.
GROUPON: When the days get longer and the nights shorter, how can we keep our tips top-notch?
MEGHAN DOYLE: Instead of getting a full haircut every six to eight weeks, in the summer opt for a professional deep condition, blow-dry, and “dusting” of the ends with scissors every three to four weeks. You'll get the extra moisture from the treatment, and keep your ends looking constantly fresh without losing length. At home, use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner in these warm, sunny months. I love and use Pureology’s hydrating formula in the salon—it’s also sulfate-free.
GROUPON: Summer means lots of sunshine, but too much sun can cause hair color to fade. What do you recommend to preserve a do’s hue?
MD: During your first color service of the summer, add on a color sealing treatment. It’s going to make those dollars you just spent on that perfect summer shade go a long way. Keep the moisture intact with quality hydrating products and keep your head covered with a hat, scarf, or turban when you are in direct sunlight for long periods of time. (Think: pool, river, beach, festivals, parks, etc.)
At your “end of the summer” color service, splurge again and add on a clarifying prep treatment before your color. It will help get the summer buildup, like product and mineral deposits, out of your strands and off your scalp, preparing your hair for a bright fall color.
GROUPON: For those of us with frizz-prone hair, how can we, as you so elegantly word it, give the finger to Karl the Fog?
MD: Begin your style with a frizz-free product, then give yourself a good blowout. Use a brush, work in small sections, and keep the air flowing in the direction of the hair growth to keep the cuticle down. This creates the silky-smooth look we all want.
If hair starts to act up after being out in Karl for a while, change course and twist or braid it into a low chignon. Always keep a few pins on you just in case. And lastly, sometimes we just need to embrace the foggy hair—big is beautiful.
This interview has been condensed and edited.